Macedonian women’s champion Ljuboten celebrated in the semi-final of the first qualifying round for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

photo by Filip Zdraveski: celebration of the equalizer

Ljuboten is hosting the qualifying Tournament 3 in Skopje and on Wednesday faced Faroese champion NSÍ Runavík. Despite the home players opened the match having the possession, it was the visitors who broke the dead lock in the 12th minute after a mistake by Ljuboten’s back line. However, just three minutes later Markovska equalized. The Macedonian champions added two more goals before the break, securing a solid 3:1 lead.

In the second half Nigerian international Ohadiwe sealed the win. With all available subs being made, the last minutes including the stoppage time Ljuboten was forced to play with 10 men after Ulza Maksuti had to be taken off due to an injury.

FFM Petar Miloshevski training center in Skopje
Ljuboten – NSÍ Runavík 4:1 (3:1)
Goals: 15′ Markovska, 24′ Hava Mustafa, 45′ Ulza Maksuti, 63′ Maryann Ogochukwu Ohadiwe – 12′ Rebekka Benbakoura
Referee: Charlotte Carpenter

Highlights:

In the final match Ljuboten will face Armenian champion Pyunik, who earlier eliminated NSA Sofia from Bulgaria thanks to a goal scored in the injury time.

Saturday at 17.00 CET:

FFM Petar Miloshevski training center in Skopje
Ljuboten – Pyunik
Referee: Elisabet Calvo Valentín

If Ljuboten wins again it will advance in the second qualifying round where a new tournament awaits. There, the Macedonians will have to match Swedish champion Rosengård in the semi-final on 27 August in Belgium.